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Appeal for information after horse suffered severe chemical burns

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a horse suffered severe chemical burns in what’s thought to have been a deliberate attack.

The filly – thought to be aged around eight months old – is being treated for injuries to her head, as well as lice, internal parasites and anaemia at a vet practice in North Yorkshire, after being found with the injuries in Clowne, Derbyshire.

“Whatever the substance was has caused her skin to literally slew off of her face and head.

“I’ve never seen an animal who has been attacked with a caustic substance like this.”

The RSPCA was contacted about the filly – named ‘Cindy’ by those currently treating her at Rainbow Equine Hospital – on Tuesday (24 April) after she was found at an undisclosed location in Clowne and taken to an address near Doncaster, South Yorkshire by an animal lover.

After initial treatment by Portland House Veterinary Group of Retford, Nottinghamshire she was transported to Rainbow.

Inspector Ellis said: “It’s believed that she had suffered these horrific injuries up to 48 hours before she was found.

“We don’t know how the injuries were caused but it seems inconceivable that this happened accidently. We do believe this was a deliberate attack.

“If anyone has any information about what happened please contact the RSPCA’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018 and ask to leave a message for me.”

The incident happened on the day that the RSPCA revealed our annual cruelty statistics which show that the number of horses rescued by the RSPCA across England and Wales has reached a four-year-high. Nearly 1,000 horses (980) were taken in by the charity as a result of cruelty, suffering and neglect last year (2017), and a staggering 928 horses are currently in our care. It costs the RSPCA more than £3m per year to care for the horses, excluding veterinary costs.